A job rich recovery - We must invest in jobs for people says European Parliament

What Irish Members of EP Employment Committee say

Marian Harkin MEP (Independent-North West) and member of the European Parliament Employment Committee said "More than six million jobs have been lost in the EU since the financial and economic crisis began in 2008 and 17.6 million new jobs need to be filled to meet the target set in the EU 2020. I welcomed the investment programme proposed by the European Parliament. If EU leaders would commit to such a programme it would be a clear indication to all EU citizens that they were rebalancing the current austerity measures with measures to encourage growth and foster sustainable employment. I also called for the European Globalisation Fund to be continued post 2014 as it is a really important EU instrument for upskilling and retraining redundant workers."

Emer Costello, Labour MEP for Dublin said: "The June European Summit needs to make progress on a European Investment Plan for real, sustainable and quality jobs. A plan that respects the rights and dignity of workers, promotes social justice and fights inequality, in-work poverty and social dumping. A plan which protects vulnerable workers such as part-time workers, domestic workers and those trapped in the black economy. We also need specific action to tackle youth unemployment, including a binding European Youth Guarantee as well as a Quality Charter on Internships - too many young people are on their fourth or fifth unpaid internships, with no jobs in the offing."